Parenting Archive

My thoughts on parenthood, and what it's like to be a mom in the Philippines.

Mother’s Day Staycation At Hive Hotel and Convention Place

For Mother’s Day, actually, a week before Mother’s Day, we got an invite to stay at one of the coolest hotel in Quezon City-Hive Hotel and Convention Place.

I say coolest because of all the amazing displays. The theme of the hotel is retro, every corner feels like a trip down memory lane! Medyo nanghinayang nga kame eh. Sana kasama namin si Mother so she could reminisce. And sana nabantayan nya ang mga kids so husband and I can go to My Bro’s Mustache Folk Bar. Next time we will do that! haha

Hive Hotel and Convention Place is an eco friendly hotel. They collect rain water for their plants. Toiletries are in dispenser so no small plastic bottles. That’s one of my major concern when I check in at hotels. The disposable of those tiny bottles that you can’t even reuse. When we travel, I bring our own toiletries so we dont have to use/ask for more toiletries from the hotel. Most notable is the use of Mason jar for complimentary water instead of bottled water.

Our room was a connecting room, a deluxe room connected to a Super Studio. It’s actually big for our family, kasya pa nga si Nanay if ever.

hat we love most in our room is the bath tub! For our stay, they gave us a complimentary bath bomb! (not always available but it comes with their special promos so watch out for it!) It’s my first time to bath tub with my kids. Super sayang bonding pala. Check: Hive Hotel Facebook Page for their weekend promos.

My husband loved the food, so that means a lot. I love any kind of food so my food opinion is not that reliable haha. But if the husband says the food is good, it really is!

Hive Hotel and Convention Place is still on soft opening phase but the hospitality and willingness to serve of the hotel staff is pang grand opening na. They specialize in staycations and of course, conventions that can fit up to 300 people!

For Mother’s Day staycation, book a room at Hive Hotel and Convention Place.Rate starts at 2400++ Pesos for a 2 person bedroom (special weekend promo rate, while regular price is at 3,600 Pesos) Try their super comfy 400 thread count bed with pocket springs and memory foam!

Family Staycation At The Cirque Serviced Residences

When you have a hotel like bed (or close to that) it is really hard to leave your house. So when we got an offer for a Family Staycation At The Cirque Serviced Residences, I was a bit hesitant. The bedroom photos are convincing though and the pool! And the fact that the residence is just a stone throw’s away from our home (stone na si Goliath ang nagbato haha). I find it amusing that we’re having a staycation a few kilometers away from our house. But I guess that’s the whole point of staycation right?

Family Staycation At The Cirque Serviced Residences

Honestly, I am excited for this staycation because we often pass by Circulo Verde, where The Cirque Serviced Residences is located. Always extending my neck as we passed by, curious on what’s inside that place. It looks expensive judging by the entrance and yet it gives you this homey aura. So it’s a dream come true to actually walk around Circulo Verde. As I have learned, Circurlo Verde is not as private as I thought it was. It has office spaces for rent, restaurants inside and of courseThe Cirque Serviced Residences is inside.

Forgot to mention pala, also another reason why I said yes to this staycation is because The Cirque Serviced Residences is managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc (Hi!). Our favorite hotel in Nueva Ecija is also managed by them (must read: Harvest Hotel Review). My expectations for The Cirque Serviced Residences is a bit high knowing who manages it.

Though I want to start my review the unit, can we just take a moment to appreciate the reception? Specially this side of the reception.. so simple pero so elegant di ano? Gusto ko po ng ganitong sala!

Our home for a night is a two bedroom suite. It’s the perfect size for our family. The unit is stylish and homey, the kind of description every homemaker wants for her home. For a moment there, I wish this was our home or we can at least copy the design and the lay out.

Quick tour of the unit: As you enter, you will be greeted by a tastefully designed sala. On your right is the laundry area which can also serve as maid’s quarter (judging by the comfort room inside). If you are planning to bring a helper, maybe you can request for a mattress.

Adjacent to the sala is the dinning area and the small but fully equipped kitchen. Fully equipped because it has microwave and induction cooker. This unit is like a real house talaga. Super ideal for families traveling to the city and needs a place to stay.

Then the 2 single bed bedroom where my 4 kids stayed. The room was perfectly designed that we decided to copy a bit of it for the boys’ bedroom. Parallel is the bathroom, which is quite big and has all the necessities a bathroom should have (hot shower, bidet, and toiletries).

Now, the master bedroom. I have nothing but praises, from bed to pillow to the linens, to the bathroom. I love this kind of luxury. And I can say, this is worth a night away from bed. The duvet is even better. Let me askm do you know where to buy hotel quality duvet and pillow? Yung tipong malulunond ka sa lambot? Please tell me! Mag ho hoard ako!

The Cirque Serviced Residences pool is located at 8th or 10th floor (I can’t remember, sorry!). Child friendly pool and lawn is covered with artificial grass, so no worries na baka madulas ang mga bagets.

Aside from swimming, there are other activities your kids will love. Forgot to mention that The Cirque Serviced Residences is pet friendly, actually, the whole Circulo Verde is, they even have a park for pets. Just walking with fur babies is already an enjoyable activity itself di ba mga momsh?

Ninja Academy is also now located inside Circulo Verde, where The Cirque Serviced Residences is located. It’s Ninja Academy, the name says a lot. If your kids wants to learn how to parkour, this is the perfect place. Sayang lang when we were there, expired na pala ang GC ko! Booo! Calling Ninja Acedemy, baka may magagawa tayo?

Save the best for last: BIKING PARK.

Yes, a whole park dedicated for BIKING! The park of free of use for The Cirque Serviced Residences guests (and minimal charge for visitors). The park is open:

Mon & Wed 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tues & Thurs 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri, Sat, Sun 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

What’s so exciting about a Bike Park? A Lot!

You can rent a bike for a very cheap price and you can also bring your own bike. And you can bike as you want, in cement, in trails and if you are up for it, try out THE RAMP!

My kids just bike around the area and in some slopy areas. Super enjoy sila with the biking, I wish nag extend pa kame ng stay! Watch our video:

Where to eat when checked in at The Cirque?

For early dinner, we had McDonald’s and then called for delivery through a food panda. Ang dami namang restaurant around Libis so food won’t be a problem and as I have mentioned, the kitchen is fully equipped. For breakfast, part of the accommodation is breakfast at Kambal Pandesal.

The Cirque Serviced Residences is located inside Circulo Verde, Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Super easy to locate specially if you are using waze. Aside from 2 bedroom flat (P7200), other accommodations are 1 bedroom pet friendly flat (P4800), and 1bedroom loft (P5760). The 1 bedroom loft looks intriguing! Parang ang sarap mag hang out dun! To book, contact The Cirque Serviced Residences through their website:https://thecirque.com.ph/

Do Not Let The Baby Cry- 5 Disadvantages Of Letting The Baby Cry

When I first had a baby, a lot of people mentioned that I should let it cry, specially in the mornings. Crying is good for the lungs according to old wives’ tale. After 3 kids, I’ve learned my lesson well. Lungs and crying may be connected but the disadvantage outweighs the benefits. Also, there are other ways to make your baby’s lungs stronger other than crying.

The old saying goes that when you don’t let the baby cry, they will grow up to be a spoiled baby. It can be true specially if you always give in to what the baby wants. But you pacify them without giving what they want. You can talk them as they cry giving them the solution for what seems to be the problem. Or you can carry them as they cry while you try to explain why it is not OK to eat chocolates at night. Or you can just hug them, for us, I find giving my breast seems to work all the time.

Here are 5 reasons why you should not let your baby cry:

Letting the baby cry can lead to a frustrated kid. Letting the baby cry can be very traumatizing to your kid. They maybe a baby but their emotional needs as as big as those of the adults, even bigger actually. And they don’t fully understand what frustrations is all about. How to handle it and what needs to be done to make them feel better. Letting them cry just worsens the situation. It can lead to them being frustrated all the time. Instead of letting them cry, show them how to deal with their frustrations. Is it about the car that won’t start, show them how it works. Give them a solution and not a cold face.

Letting the baby cry can be be damaging to the developing brains of the baby. Neurobiologists say high levels of stress hormone cortisol are ‘toxic’ to the developing brain, according to Penelope Leach.

Letting the baby cry alters the mood of the parents. Admit it moms, crying baby is the worst thing to hear any day. It can easily change your mood into a grumpy old woman. Why the need to lengthen that stage? It eats you up right? The things you need to do but the baby is crying at the background. Stop whatever you are doing and fetch your baby. The human touch can make your baby feel better and yours too.

Letting the baby can also affect older siblings. The frustrations from the baby’s cry is reverberate around the house. This can be felt that just by the baby but almost everyone inside the house. If you have older kids, crying baby can affect their moods, their study habits and at night can also affect their sleep.

Letting the baby cry can lead to baby having low self esteem and trust issues. Trust me on this one. This is from my own experience. I let my 3rd son cry when he was a year old. Thinking all the theories about letting the baby cry correct. I was thinking he would learn how to pacify himself and that he would be more independent. The opposite happened, he was the clingiest amongst all my kids. He was so shy when he was in pre school and he cries a lot. He also have trust issues back then and though we were able to correct it, still it is manifested from time to time. Up to this day, I feel guilty because I let him cry when he was a baby. So moms, I am appealing all to you, DO NOT LET YOUR BABY CRY!